U.S. patent number 5,342,114 [Application Number 08/017,739] was granted by the patent office on 1994-08-30 for convertible rolling chair and changing table for adult.
Invention is credited to Olive L. Burke, Jesse G. Lewis.
United States Patent |
5,342,114 |
Burke , et al. |
August 30, 1994 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Convertible rolling chair and changing table for adult
Abstract
A chain which is convertible to a table comprising: a base
frame; a seat which is associatable with the base frame such that
the seat is supported by the base frame and the seat can be raised
and lowered with respect to the base frame; an electric motor
assembly for raising and lowering the seat with respect to the base
frame; a chair back which is pivotably associated with the seat;
and a chair back support assembly, associated with the base frame,
for supporting the chair back, wherein when the seat is raised with
respect to the base frame, the chair back is positionable over the
chair back support assembly in a substantially horizontal position
and wherein the support assembly is operable for supporting the
chair back in this substantially horizontal position.
Inventors: |
Burke; Olive L. (Sapulpa,
OK), Lewis; Jesse G. (Tulsa, OK) |
Family
ID: |
25254537 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/017,739 |
Filed: |
February 16, 1993 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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829435 |
Feb 3, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/344.2;
297/354.13; 297/377; 5/618 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
17/163 (20130101); A61G 5/006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
17/00 (20060101); A47C 17/16 (20060101); A61G
5/00 (20060101); A61G 007/015 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/618,611,613,616,617
;297/344.2,377,354.13 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Grosz; Alexander
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dougherty, Hessin, Beavers &
Gilbert
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
07/829,435 filed Feb. 3, 1992, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A chair which is convertible to a table, comprising:
a base frame;
a seat which is associatable with said base frame such that said
seat is supported by said base frame and said seat can be raised
and lowered with respect to said base frame;
raising and lowering means for raising and lowering said seat with
respect to said base frame;
a chair back which is pivotably associated with said seat; and
a chair back support means, associated with said base frame, for
supporting said chair back,
wherein, when said seat is raised with respect to said base frame
the chair back is rotated rearwardly from an inclined position to a
substantially horizontal position, said support means being
operable for supporting said chair back when said chair back is in
said substantially horizontal portion.
2. A chair as described in claim 1 wherein said chair back support
means comprises:
a first elongate side member;
a second elongate side member substantially parallel to said first
elongate side member; and
a support structure having a first end and a second end, said first
end being pivotably associated with said base frame, said second
end including a first sleeve member which is slidably connected to
said first elongate side member, and said second end further
including a second sleeve member which is slidably connected to
said second elongate side member.
3. A chair as described in claim 1 further comprising:
a leg rest pivotably associated with said seat and
a ratchet means for holding said leg rest in fixed position with
respect to said seat.
4. A chair as described in claim 1 further comprising an arm rest
which is removably attachable to said base frame.
5. A chair which is convertible to a table, comprising:
a base frame;
an elongate first threaded member having a longitudinal axis, said
first threaded member being mounted in said base frame such that
each end of said first threaded member is held at a fixed location
with respect to said base frame but said first threaded member can
be rotated with respect to said base frame about said longitudinal
axis;
a seat structure;
a second threaded member mounted in said seat structure, said
second threaded member being threadedly associatable with said
first threaded member such that, when said second threaded member
is threadedly associated with said first threaded member and said
first threaded member is rotated about said longitudinal axis, said
seat structure moves with respect to said base frame along said
longitudinal axis;
rotating means for rotating said first threaded member about said
longitudinal axis;
a chair back which is pivotably associated with said seat structure
and;
a chair back support means, associated with said base frame, for
supporting said chair back, said chair back support means being
operable for supporting said chair back at at least one reclining
angle,
wherein, when said seat structure is raised with respect to said
base frame the chair back is rotated rearwardly from an inclined
position to a substantially horizontal position, said support means
being operable for supporting said chair back when said chair back
is in said substantially horizontal position.
6. A chair as described in claim 5 further comprising limiting
means for limiting the movement of said seat structure with respect
to said base frame along said longitudinal axis.
7. A chair as described in claim 6 wherein said rotating means
comprises an electric motor and said limiting means comprises a
limiting switch for shutting off said electric motor.
8. A chair as described in claim 5 wherein said first threaded
member is a male threaded member and said second threaded member is
a female threaded member.
9. A chair as described in claim 5 wherein one of said base frame
and said seat structure includes at least one guide rod and the
other of said base frame and said seat structure includes at least
one guide sleeve, said guide rod being receivable in said guide
sleeve such that said guide rod slides in said guide sleeve when
said second threaded member is threadedly associated with said
first threaded member and said seat structure moves with respect to
said base frame along said longitudinal axis.
10. A chair as described in claim 5 wherein said chair back support
means comprises:
a first elongate side member;
a second elongate side member substantially parallel to said first
elongate side member; and
a support structure having a first end and a second end, said first
end being pivotably associated with said base frame, said second
end including a first sleeve member which is slidably connected to
said first elongate side member, and said second end further
including a second sleeve member which is slidably connected to
said second elongate side member.
11. A chair as described in claim 5 further comprising an arm rest
which is removably attachable to said base frame.
12. A chair as described in claim 5 further comprising a leg rest
pivotably associated with said seat structure.
13. A chair as described in claim 12 further comprising a ratchet
means for holding said leg rest in fixed position with respect to
said seat.
14. A chair as described in claim 5 further comprising a plurality
of wheels rotatably associated with said base frame.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to chairs which are convertible to
tables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A need presently exists for a chair which (a) can be conveniently
rolled from one location to another, (b) has a chair back which can
be placed in reclining position, and (c) can be converted to a flat
table without having to transfer the patient seated therein. Such a
chair could be conveniently used for transferring a patient from
the chair to a bed and vice versa. The chair could also be used,
for example, as a changing table for non-ambulatory adults who lack
bowel and/or bladder control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a chair which is convertible to a
table. The chair comprises a base frame, a seat frame, a first
adjusting member, a second adjusting member, and a rotating means.
The first adjusting member includes a threaded portion. The first
adjusting member has a longitudinal first end, a longitudinal
second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The
first adjusting member is mounted in the base frame or the seat
frame such that (1) each of the longitudinal ends of the first
adjusting member is held at a fixed location with respect to the
frame in which the first adjusting member is mounted but (2) the
threaded portion of the first adjusting member can be rotated with
respect to the frame in which the first adjusting member is mounted
about the longitudinal axis of the first adjusting member. The
second adjusting member is mounted in the other of said frames and
includes a threaded portion. The threaded portion of the second
adjusting member is threadedly associatable with the threaded
portion of the first adjusting member such that, when the threaded
portion of the second adjusting member is threadedly associated
with the threaded portion of the first adjusting member and the
threaded portion of the first adjusting member is rotated about the
longitudinal axis of the first adjusting member, the seat frame
moves with respect to the base frame along the longitudinal axis of
the first adjusting member. The rotating means is operable for
rotating the threaded portion of the first adjusting member about
the longitudinal axis of the first adjusting member.
In accordance with the desired characteristics mentioned
hereinabove, the inventive chair (a) can be easily rolled from one
location to another, (b) can be placed in reclining position, and
(c) can be converted to a flat table without having to first
transfer the patient. The inventive chair is well-suited, for
example, for use in transferring and caring for non-ambulatory
invalid or semi-invalid patients in hospitals, in nursing
facilities, or at home. The inventive chair provides comfort and
mobility for the patient while minimizing the risk of injury to the
patient and to the caregiver.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will be readily apparent upon reference to the accompanying
drawings and upon reading the following description of the
preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 provides an elevational side view of an embodiment 2 of the
apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 provides a second elevational side view of inventive
apparatus 2.
FIG. 3 provides an elevational side view of inventive apparatus 2
wherein inventive apparatus 2 is placed in table position.
FIG. 4 provides a partially cutaway elevational side view of
inventive apparatus 2.
FIG. 5 provides an elevational back view of inventive apparatus 2
taken along line 5--5 shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 provides a partially cutaway elevational side view of
inventive apparatus 2 depicted in table position.
FIG. 7 provides a cutaway view taken along line 7--7 shown in FIG.
6.
FIG. 8 provides a cutaway view of inventive apparatus 2 taken along
line 8--8 shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 provides a front view of the base frame 4 and the seat frame
92 of inventive apparatus 2 taken along line 9--9 shown in FIG.
4.
FIG. 10 provides an elevational side view of inventive apparatus 2
wherein apparatus 2 is midway between chair position and table
position.
FIG. 11 provides an elevational front view of removable arm 14 of
inventive apparatus 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment 2 of the inventive apparatus is depicted in FIGS.
1-8. Apparatus 2 comprises a base 4; wheels 6 and 7 rotatably
associated with the base; a seat assembly 8 which is associated
with the base such that the seat assembly is supported by the base
and the seat can be raised or lowered with respect to the base; a
leg rest 10 which is pivotably associated with seat assembly 8; a
backrest 12 which is pivotably associated with seat assembly 8; arm
rests 14 which are removably associatable with base 4; and a
backrest support assembly 16 for supporting backrest 12.
Base 4 comprises a frame structure including a rectangular bottom
frame 18 and a rectangular top frame 20. Bottom frame 18 includes a
front end 22, a back end 24, and sides 26. A lateral member 28
extends between sides 26 near the front end of bottom frame 18.
Supports 30, 32, 34, and 36 extend between front end 22 of frame 18
and lateral member 28. Supports 30, 32, 34, and 36 are used for
rotatably connecting front wheels 6 to base frame 18. A second
lateral member 38 extends between supports 32 and 34. Third and
fourth lateral members 40 and 42 extend between sides 26 near the
back end 24 of bottom frame 18 and are used for operably connecting
back wheels 7 to bottom frame 18. Rectangular top frame 20 includes
a front end 44, a back end 46, and sides 48. Support members 50 and
52 extend between front end 44 and back end 46 of top frame 20.
Bottom frame 18 and top frame 20 are substantially the same width.
However, bottom frame 18 is longer than top frame 20. Vertical
supports 54 and 56 extend between the front corners of bottom frame
18 and top frame 20. Vertical supports 58 and 56 extend between the
back corners of top frame 20 and sides 26 of bottom frame 18. Cross
bracing members 62, 64, 66, and 68 are connected between top frame
20 and vertical supports 54, 56, 58, and 60 in order to provide
additional strength for base frame 4. Sloping side support members
70 and 72 extend between back end 46 of top frame 20 and back end
24 of bottom frame 18.
An additional lateral support 74 (not shown) extends between sides
26 of bottom frame 18 at a position corresponding with the back end
46 of top frame 20. Vertical supports 76 and 78 extend between
lateral support 74 and back end 46 of top frame 20. A reversible
electric motor 80 having a pulley 82 operably associated therewith
is bolted to vertical supports 76 and 78.
An electrical utility cord (not shown) can be provided in inventive
apparatus 2 for operating electric motor 80 using an electrical
utility outlet. Alternatively, batteries (not shown) can be
positioned on base frame assembly 4 for powering electric motor
80.
An elongate threaded rod 84 extends between bottom frame 18 and top
frame 20. The bottom end of rod 84 is connected to a pulley
assembly 86. Pulley assembly 86 is rotatably connected to lateral
members 28 and 38 of bottom frame 18. Rod 84 is associated with
pulley 86 such that, when pulley 86 is rotated, rod 84 is also
caused to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
The top end of elongate threaded rod 84 extends through a bearing
assembly 88. Bearing assembly 88 is connected to support members 50
and 52 of top frame 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the top end of rod 84
extends through bearing assembly 88 a sufficient distance to allow
a pinned nut 90 to be connected to the top end of rod 84.
A belt 92 extends around pulleys 82 and 86 so that reversible
electric motor 80 can be used to rotate elongate threaded rod 84
about its longitudinal axis. As elongate rod 84 rotates about its
axis, it remains in fixed vertical position with respect to base
frame 4.
Seat assembly 8 comprises a frame assembly including: a
substantially horizontal rectangular frame structure 92; a V-shaped
lift member 98 having inwardly and downwardly extending side
members 100 and a substantially horizontal member 102 extending
between the lower ends of side members 100; and an internally
threaded member 104 extending through horizontal member 102.
Internally threaded member 104 is operable for threadedly receiving
elongate threaded rod 84. A seat cushion 106 is positioned on top
of rectangular frame 92. Additionally, four guide rods 108 are
attached to and extend downwardly from rectangular frame structure
92. When elongate threaded rod 84 is threadedly received in
internally threaded member 104 of seat assembly 8, guide rods 108
are received in guide rod sleeves 110 provided in base frame 4.
Thus, seat assembly 8 can be raised and lowered with respect to
base frame 4 by operating motor 80 in forward or reverse direction
and thereby causing threaded rod 84 to rotate within internally
threaded member 104. As seat assembly 8 moves vertically with
respect to base frame 4, guide rods 108 slide within guide sleeves
110.
Leg rest 10 comprises a flat rectangular support 112 and a leg
cushion 114 attached to the upper side of support 112. Rectangular
support 112 is pivotably connected to rectangular frame 92 of seat
assembly 8 by hinges 116. Sleeves 118 are provided on the bottom of
rectangular support 112 for receiving the elongate ends 120 of
ratchet members 122. Ratchet members 122 are pivotably connected to
the sides of rectangular frame 92 of seat assembly 8 so that
ratchet members 122 can be used to hold leg rest 10 at generally
any desired angle with respect to seat assembly 8.
Backrest 12 comprises a flat rectangular support 124 having a back
cushion 126 positioned on the top thereof. Rectangular support 124
is pivotably connected to rectangular frame 92 of seat assembly 8
by hinges 128. Catch members 130 are provided on the bottom of
rectangular support 124. Catch members 130 are operable for
receiving backrest support assembly 16 such that backrest support
assembly 16 will support backrest 12 in four different reclining
positions. Pads 131 are also provided on the bottom of rectangular
support 124 to protect backrest 12 from abrasion damage which might
otherwise occur when backrest 12 is moved into and out of table
position.
Backrest support assembly 16 comprises: rods 132 pivotably
connected in slots 134 provided in the upper ends of sloping side
support members 70 and 72; a generally U-shaped handle 136 having
tubular ends 138 for receiving rods 132, substantially parallel
side members 140 which bend away from backrest 12, and a handlebar
142 extending across the distal end of U-shaped handle 136; and
supports 144 and 146 connected between side members 140. Backrest
support assembly 16 further comprises: parallel vertical members
148 which are connected to the back end 24 of bottom frame 18;
elbows 150 connected to the upper ends of members 148; a crosspiece
152 connected between elbows 150 and extending through a first tee
154; an elongate support member 156 extending from first tee 154; a
second tee 158 connected to the upper end of elongate member 156; a
lateral support member 160 extending through second tee 158; and
third and fourth tees 162 which are connected to the ends of
lateral member 160 and are positioned around side members 140.
First tee 154 and elongate support member 156 pivot around
crosspiece 152. Third and fourth tees 162, on the other hand, slide
along side members 140. Thus, by (a) raising backrest 12, (b)
pushing handlebar 142 forward or pulling handlebar 142 backward,
and then (c) lowering backrest 12, lateral support member 160 can
be placed beneath any desired pair of catch members 130. The
particular pair of catch members chosen will determine the
reclining angle of the chair back. When lateral support member 160
is positioned beneath a desired pair of catch members 130 in the
manner depicted in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, tees 162 are prevented from
sliding along side members 140 and first tee 154 is prevented from
rotating around crosspiece 152 such that lateral support member
160, elongate support member 156, tee 154, crosspiece 152, elbows
150, and vertical members 148 operate to support backrest 12 in
reclining position.
In one embodiment of the present invention, elongate member 156,
crosspiece 152, lateral support member 160, and vertical members
148 are preferably formed from PVC pipe. Additionally, elbows 150
and tees 154, 158, and 162 are formed from PVC. Vertical members
148 can be connected to back end 24 of frame 18 by, for example,
using threaded steel couplings 164 which are welded or otherwise
connected to frame 18.
In another embodiment, all of members 156, 152, 160, 148, 150, 154,
158, 162, and 164 are preferably metal. In this embodiment, plastic
inserts 165 are preferably provided in tees 162 to reduce friction
and thereby facilitate the sliding movement of tees 162 along side
members 140.
Inventive apparatus 2 can be automatically taken from a chair
position to a table position regardless of which set of catch
members 130 lateral support member 160 happens to be positioned
between. However, when taking apparatus 2 from chair position to
table position, lateral member 160 is preferably positioned between
catch members 130b and 130c.
To convert apparatus 2 from chair to table position, electric motor
80 is switched on so that seat assembly 8 is raised with respect to
base frame 4. As seat assembly 8 rises with respect to the base
frame 4, backrest 12 also moves upward. As backrest 12 moves
upward, backrest 12 and catch members 130 push against lateral
support member 160 such that lateral support member 160 and tees
162 slide outward on side members 140. At the same time, elongate
member 156 and tee 154 rotate upward around crosspiece 152 and rods
132 pivot downward in slots 134. Thus, as seat assembly 8 and
backrest 12 move upward, backrest 12 also pivots slowly toward
horizontal position.
When taking apparatus 2 from chair position to table position, the
movement of backrest support assembly 16 stops when outer portion
166 of handle 136 reaches a substantially horizontal position.
Before or at about the same time that outer portion 166 of handle
136 reaches horizontal position, pads 131 on the bottom of backrest
12 contact handle 136 at about bend 168 (see FIG. 10). Backrest 12
then slides over and essentially pivots around bend 168 and onto
the horizontal outer portion 166 of handle 136. As backrest 12
pivots around bend 168, backrest support 124 and catch members 130
are lifted off of lateral member 160 of backrest support assembly
16. Consequently, when seat assembly 8 and backrest 12 are fully
raised, backrest 12 is supported in horizontal position by outer
portion 166 of handle 136.
To take inventive apparatus 2 from table position to chair
position, electric motor 80 is simply operated in reverse such that
seat assembly 8 and backrest 12 are lowered toward base frame 4. As
backrest 12 is lowered, it pivots inward over bend 168 until
lateral support member 160 is received between a set of catch
members 130. With lateral member 160 thus positioned under catch
members 130, the continued downward movement of backrest 12 causes
lateral support member 160 and tees 162 to slide downward along
side members 140 toward base frame 4. At the same time, elongate
support member 156 and first tee 154 pivot inward and rods 132
pivot upward in slots 134. Thus, as seat assembly 8 and backrest 12
move downward, backrest 12 also moves to the reclining position
determined by the particular set of catch members 130 between which
lateral member 160 has been received.
When the embodiment of apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1-11 is taken
from table position to chair position, lateral member 160 will
always mate with a particular set of catch members 130. In this
case, lateral member 160 will always be received between catch
members 130b and 130c. After seat assembly 8 and backrest 12 are
lowered, the reclining angle of backrest 12 can be changed by
placing lateral support member 160 between a different set of catch
members 130.
Arm rests 14 are preferably removably attachable to base frame 12.
As shown in FIG. 11, each arm rest 14 preferably has a clip 170
positioned on the inside thereof. Clips 170 are sized to be
removably received in slots 172 provided in the sides of top frame
20 of base assembly 4. Arm rests 14 can thus be removed from
inventive apparatus 2 in order to facilitate the use of apparatus 2
in transferring a patient from inventive apparatus 2 to a bed or
vice versa.
Limit switches 173 and 174 are provided in inventive assembly 2 in
order to stop electric motor 80 whenever seat assembly 8 has been
fully raised or fully lowered with respect to base frame assembly
4. Limit switch 173 is provided on bottom frame 18 of base frame
assembly 4 while limit switch 174 is provided on top frame 20 of
base frame assembly 4. Whenever seat assembly 8 is fully raised
with respect to base frame 4, horizontal member 102 of seat
assembly 8 contacts limit switch 174 such that limit switch 174
operates to shut off electric motor 80 and thus stop the upward
movement of seat assembly 8. Whenever seat assembly 8 is fully
lowered with respect to base frame assembly 4, a bracket arm 176
connected to horizontal member 102 of seat assembly 8 contacts
limit switch 173 such that limit switch 173 operates to shut off
electric motor 80 and thus stop the downward movement of seat
assembly 8.
Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well
as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments
have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous
changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the
spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *